CRM Bara Pond, Jamshedpur (Restore)

With the rejuvenation of the pond located at the Bara area of Jamshedpur town, Tata Steel has once again reiterated its commitment to water sustainability. The pond, popularly known as CRM Bara Pond, comprised one large and two small waterbodies. It now serves as a source of rainwater harvesting and plays a pivotal role in maintaining the biodiversity of the surrounding area.

For some time, the water bodies were fast vanishing due to negligence and poor upkeep. Tata Steel undertook the responsibility of rejuvenating the water bodies as part of its commitment to long-term water sustainability. The Company’s efforts have led to the creation of an ornamentally-designed reservoir and the water bodies have been restored to a beautiful pond. This has resulted in accumulating 82,320 m³ of rain water, reducing pollution and improving the biodiversity in the area. Besides, the ground water table has seen a rise post implementation of the project.

It merits mention that Tata Steel's strategic commitment to water sustainability has helped reduce freshwater consumption in the Steel City by around 50 per cent over the last 10 years. The Company's plans to rejuvenate water bodies in Jamshedpur will not only help in water harvesting but also reduce water pollution.

Around the CRM Bara Pond, Tata Steel has planted more than 5,000 plants leading to enhancement of the green canopy in the area. Birds and butterflies are attracted to the waterbody and plants. As such, the biodiversity has been augmented in and around the project area. Migratory birds are attracted to the thriving population of fish in the pond. A clean and green environment has not only added to the beauty and charm of the area, but has also generated a feeling of calm and serenity.

Community participation was critical to the success of the project and the local public was sensitised on the inherent benefits of rejuvenation of the water bodies. It eventually turned out to be a win-win situation for all stakeholders.

Dalma View Point, Jamshedpur (Recreate)

As part of its commitment to sustainability, Tata Steel set-up Dalma View Point, a picnic area on the Marine Drive (Western Corridor), adjacent to the management institute, XLRI at Jamshedpur in December 2020. Spread over an area of 5 acres, the Dalma View Point is Tata Steel’s strategic commitment to improving green cover in and around Jamshedpur Steel Works.

It is yet another initiative to reiterate Tata Steel’s commitment to sustainability and the clean and green environment is not only adding to the beauty of the area but is also helping conserve biodiversity and sustainable development.

Earlier the site was a Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)landfill area with limited vegetative growth. The existing dump has been converted into a green park by layering the dump with soil and plantation of variety ranging from erosion of soil to stabilisation of slopes. Air and water pollution from the contaminated dump site was affecting the adjoining area. Vigorous growth of weeds and bushes provided an enjoyable atmosphere for varieties of creatures and poisonous snakes. Local and migratory birds stopped coming to this area.

The slopes of the dump have been stabilised by Wadelia trilobata, a plant species which has an extensive root system. These species help in attracting various species of butterflies mainly Zizeeria karsandra, Eurema Hecabe, etc. The surrounding area to the dump has been converted into a green zone ranging from plantation area, grass lawns and picnic area. The picnic area attracts species of butterflies, birds and insects by planting trees and shrubs of various nature and importance.

A pond has been developed inside the picnic area to use the run-off water and also enhance the aesthetic view. The pond is equipped with a fountain to maintain the dissolved oxygen level and improve the quality of water in the pond.

The area has flowering and fruit bearing trees like Indian Cherry that not only enriches the aesthetic view of the area but also helps in attracting birds. The mound top after beatification is now a view point for the Subarnarekha river and Dalma hills. Planting of more than 1000 plants, 28000 creepers, 5000 shrubs and 13000 metre square of grass have enhanced the green canopy in the area. Birds and butterflies are now attracted to water and plants that have increased the biodiversity presence in the area.

The Dalma ViewPoint will fulfill the long-felt demand of the citizens in creating more such spaces in Jamshedpur for family outings and leisure gatherings.

Niche Nesting, Noamundi (Reimagine)

In 2016, Tata Steel adopted a company-wide Biodiversity Policy to achieve No Net Loss in biodiversity in its areas of operation. In this regard, Biodiversity Management Plans were developed by Tata Steel as a result of a comprehensive assessment done by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).

To further this, several initiatives including Niche Nesting were set up in Noamundi. The Niche Nesting initiative has provided over 130 nesting boxes for the conservation of 18 species of birds in the vicinity.

Afforestation in reclaimed areas post mining and creation of several parks such Sir Dorabji Tata Botanical Park, Hibiscus Park, Nakshatra Park and Medicinal Park in Noamundi are also a reflection of Tata Steel's commitment towards preserving the green cover in mining areas.

The Hibiscus Park, spread over 3000 square metres of area, houses more than 50 species of hibiscus including Mallorca, Velachery, Hawaii and Moscheutos varieties. Sir Dorabji Tata Park, established in 1996, also hosts a Butterfly Park, a Cactus House, an Amazon RainForest and a Rainwater Harvesting Park inside its premises.

These parks have been crucial in preserving the natural habitat of several animal, plant and insect species while also improving the climatic conditions of the region. Apart from being a business leader in steel making, mining, and manufacturing, Tata Steel has gone beyond the regulatory regimes to establish a benchmark in sustainable mining and conservation of biodiversity throughout the years and will continue to do so to shape a greener tomorrow.

Jubilee Park and Zoological Park, Jamshedpur (Recreate)

Spread across an area of 147 acres, the Jubilee Park is one of the most beautiful areas of the industrial city Jamshedpur. The park is home to 120 types of trees and plants. With a size of 30 acres, the Jayanti Sarovar Lake in the park supports fishes like Rahu, Katla, Catfish, Garai, Cheng and Pontius. It is habitat to various species of mollusc like pond snail, unio, pila and melanoids as well as attracts a variety of migratory birds during winter.

The Jamshedpur Zoo managed by Tata Steel is located within this park. This zoo built on 37 ha of land has 36 species of birds and 28 species of animals, reptiles, butterflies and fruit bats. There are 21 birds, 5 reptiles and 63 mammals of the endangered variety in the zoo.

Jugsalai Muck Dump, Jamshedpur (Reimagine)

One such initiative of Tata Steel was reclamation of 25-hectares of Jugsalai Muck Dump (JMD) as eco-park near Jugsalai in Jamshedpur.

JMD was formed over the years by dumping of cinder and slag, mainly consisting of iron and coal, since the soil texture was such that it was devoid of any organic matter and also has high temperature. Hence, not conducive for sustainable biological growth in normal conditions. Under these circumstances, a soil texture was created to enhance water retention, provide better aeration, improve physical and biological conditions of soil and promote development of root system which also gave strength to dump soil stabilisation, JMD posed severe environmental, safety and health hazards for the people of Jamshedpur. A comprehensive rehabilitation plan was implemented for slope stabilisation and vegetative growth for biological reclamation of the muck dump.

Eco-restoration approach implemented with 100% biodegradable non-synthetic geotextile coir mat and coir logs on the dump slope and with application of growing media in slurry form of minimum 5 cm thickness, with a ratio of Neo-peat, top soil, and manure with micro nutrients before and after laying of the geotextile coir mat, followed by plantation of grass and shrubs and create environmentally safe and sustainable green cover and suitable geo green blanketing to protect side slopes and prevent soil erosion and dust control, the spokesperson added.

Pundi Park, West Bokaro (Restore)

The West Bokaro Colliery (WBC) covers an area of 1740 ha, located in the Ghato and portion of the Mandu block, Ramgarh District in the State of Jharkhand. Due to coal mining, 800 ha of land has been impacted of which 250 ha has been subject to partial restoration and the remaining 940 ha will be altered by ongoing surface mine expansion until mine closure. The cumulative effects of mining, ancillary activities, secondary service industry, attendant in‐migration of the workforce and opportunistic business, has and will result in the net loss of representatives of a large number of recorded and unrecorded species and their associated ecosystem services.

The mining and metals industry operates in both remote and environmentally sensitive regions, as well as in areas where biodiversity is of limited value. Often, the most prospective areas for future mines will also be those with the greatest biodiversity value. By its very nature, mining can have significant direct and secondary environmental and social impacts on the ecosystem.

In an independent multi-stakeholder analysis of how the mining industry can maximize its role in the transition to sustainable patterns of development. The Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development (MMSD) project by the International Institute for Environment and Development highlighted the need for the mining industry to improve its performance in biodiversity assessment and management, and the need for all stakeholders to commit to better models for decision-making processes in land use and access.

Assured supplies of minerals to meet the needs of the world’s growing population can be properly integrated into regional development and biodiversity conservation strategies. As the understanding of the value of biodiversity has improved in recent years, so has the appreciation of significant threats to it. The wealth that mining creates allows the industry to have a positive effect on biodiversity. Besides the ethical and environmental reasons, mining companies need to address biodiversity for a variety of sound business reasons.